Adrian Rurawhe

Adrian Rurawhe
MP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Te Tai Hauāuru
Assumed office
20 September 2014
Preceded by Tariana Turia
Majority 1,453
Personal details
Born 1960/1961 (age 54–55)
Relations Matiu Ratana (grandfather)
Iriaka Ratana (grandmother)
T. W. Ratana (great-grandfather)

Adrian Paki Rurawhe (born 1960/1961) is a New Zealand politician who was elected to the New Zealand parliament at the 2014 general election as a representative of the Labour Party.

Family and professional career

Rurawhe is a grandson of Matiu and Iriaka Ratana, who were both MPs for Western Maori. He is a great grandson of Rātana founder T. W. Ratana.[1]

His grandfather died before he was born, and he was at secondary school before he was aware that his "Nan" was an MP. Koro Wetere the former Eastern Maori MP encouraged his early involvement in politics and continues to be a mentor for him, so has been the most influential person on him politically. [2]

Rurawhe has a background in health and education.[3] He was the chairman of the Ngāti Apa iwi for ten years[3] and was on the team that negotiated the 2011 treaty settlement with The Crown through the Waitangi Tribunal.[4]

Political career

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate List Party
2014present 51st Te Tai Hauāuru none Labour

Rurawhe worked alongside Tariana Turia, to whom he is related, when she was still a member of the Labour Party.[3] He was a member of the Māori Party between 2004 and 2008.[5]

After Turia had retired from politics, Rurawhe contested the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate and defeated Chris McKenzie of the Māori Party in the 2014 election.[3]

References

  1. Stowell, Laurel (17 December 2013). "Rurawhe new Labour candidate". Wanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  2. Interview in Dominion Post, January 31, 2015 p C5
  3. 1 2 3 4 Ihaka, James (22 September 2014). "Election 2014: Rurawhe has big shoes to fill". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  4. "Settlement". Ngāti Apa. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  5. Small, Vernon (6 December 2013). "Ratana progeny likely candidate". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
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